One of the many makeshift words or nicknames given to the newest Yankee Juan Soto continues to be Juanderful.
I kept on wanting to know why because in sports, especially baseball they don’t drop nicknames like that around so casually.
I started to do my own research and asked many of my friends that I know in the Dominican Republic and so many told me the same things.
Soto loves people, especially his Dominican people and he is not afraid to get his hands dirty in the process of helping them. One person actually sent me a picture of Juan distributing gifts and food to many people during the holidays.
Last week I called Soto’s baseball mentor Nelson Cruz to ask him if this was really Soto’s heart and Nelson said very much so. Nelson also said that’s the reason why I have so much love for him.
There are not many people that I respect like Nelson Cruz so I know that his words and heart are very real.
When I spoke to Soto on New Year’s Eve to wish him and his family a happy new year he expressed his excitement in becoming a Yankee and playing in New York.
The fact that I go to so many functions around the city I was able to tell him how excited the Yankee fans were to have him.
I told him that I recently visited a local school with his countryman and Yankee special advisor Omar Minaya and the first question was Where is Soto?
He modestly laughed at that and said hey they got Omar!
The Bronx can surely use a player the caliber of Soto to be able to help them on and off the field, mentally, physically, and spiritually!
I’m excited for the Yankees for the kids of the Bronx and most importantly for New York to get a player as Juanderful as Soto!
Oh, I forgot… Soto wishes all Yankee fans a Happy New Year!!!
